Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
On Friday, a filly with a familiar name looks to break her maiden at Geelong, while at Goulburn, Mitch Newman gives a well-bred mare a long awaited debut and a son of Tapit (USA) with Group 1 ambitions steps out again for Richard and Michael Freedman.
Geelong, Race 1, 12.30pm AEST, bet365 Geelong 3YO Fillies Mdn, $35,000, 1150m
Night Raid (Vancouver), who shares a name with the sire of Australia's most famous horse, Phar Lap (NZ), debuted in a strong race at Flemington on New Year's Day, finishing fourth, before being spelled. She was a soft winner of a recent jump-out at Caulfield for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and looks ready to break her maiden.
Night Raid as a yearling
She was a $160,000 buy for Sheamus Mills and her trainer at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is out of Raid (NZ) (Pins), who was a Listed winner and Group 1 placed and has produced two stakes performers in Mujallad (Redoute's Choice) and Tarismo (Testa Rossa). That is the extended family of Group 1 winner Stratum Star and stakes-winner Prague (Redoute's Choice).
Goulburn, Race 5, 2.45pm AEST, Galahad’s Quest Horse Of The Year Mdn, $22,000, 1300m
Elani Rose (Helmet) has taken some time to get to the track but makes her debut here as a 5-year-old mare for Mitch Newman. A $120,000 buy from the 2017 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, she is out of Group 2 winner Hierogram (Octagonal {NZ}), making her a three-quarter sister to Champollion (Exceed And Excel), who won at Group 3 level.
Elani Rose as a yearling
She looked impressive at a recent Hawkesbury trial, and could be set to make up for lost time in what looks a winnable race. She gets a nice barrier (2) for jockey James Innes Jnr.
Goulburn, Race 6, 3.25pm AEST, Shaun Guymer Jockey of the Year BM58 H., $22,000, 1200m
I'm not sure there are too many horses which are nominated for a Cox Plate who have fronted up in a BM58 at Goulburn, but Love Tap (Tapit {USA}) holds such possible spring goals, having debuted with a win for Richard and Michael Freedman back in June at Nowra.
Love Tap as a yearling
He cost Dynamic Syndications $110,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is out of a strong American family with his half-sister Fighting Mad (USA) (New Year's Day {USA}) a recent winner of the G1 Clement L Hirsch S. at Del Mar. His dam, Smokey's Love (USA) (Forestry {USA}), is a half-sister to stakes-winner Monsoon Rain (USA) (Old Treiste {USA}) out of the family of G1 Florida Derby winner High Fly (USA) (Atticus {USA}).
